New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-30
SUNDAY EDITION.
OCT. 30, 1887.
CITIZENS MADE BY MACHINE.
THE NATURALIZATION MILLS FAST WORK.
MOTLEY CROWDS OF FOREIGNERS WHOM THE DE,

OF nunDc or DenlknteN, there who will
extend to him the hand Of fellowship and hail ha
brotherif be will only promise to vote their ticket
For brief season equality rules, for mans vote
weighs In the political scales just heavy another
mans, be that other who he may. After election
day the hand Of fellowship grows cold, the efusva
greeting congeas into frigd stare and this becomes
hard, cold world again.
But OF all the strange spectacles that elections brinr
| about, that perhaps most calculated to make thu
judicous grieve and the thougntess laugh the grind
ing out Of citizens in the naturalization mill which
erected in the Court House. 1t NAV be regarded AZ q
farce tragedy according to the mood and fancy OF
the spectator Before the registration lists closed.
out into the highways and the byways and into those
quarters where foreigners most do congregae, go the
emssaries Of Democracy to hunt up those who though
not voters may be made voters who will vote the Demo
cratic ticket.
| TAKEN FROM THE PEANUT STAND.
| How long have you had this peanut stand !"
| seexa year and me maka mucha money"
Sorry fol that. Give me pint of peanuts. You
keep the change"
| "Mucha obliga."
Say. have you got vote ."
Me no underestimate"
"Havc you ever been naturazed, ever become
citizen, ever taken out your papers ."
BY dint Of much persistence the italian is made to
understand the question, and he negative
swer Then the emissary of Democracy grows
drousy fond OF him. He is persuaded to abandon the
peanut business for that day his percentage of profits
will suffer no dimnution. Then obging friend is
hunted up who is willing to make oath that he is well
acquainted with the above named applicant, and that
the said applicant has resided in the United States
three years next preceding his arrival at the age Of
twenty-one years; that he has continued to reside
therein to the present tme that he has resided five
years within the United States including the three
OF his minority and in the State OF New York year,
at least Immediately preceding this application; and
that during that time he has behaved Of good
moral character attached to the principles OF the Con-
sution Of the United States, and well disposed to the
good order and happiness OF the and deponent
verify believes that for two years next preceding this
application it has been, bona fde the intention of the
said applicant to become citizen Of the United States"
The Italian and his witness conducted 10 tho
Naturalization Bureau of the County Democracy at No.
10 Centre-st. of Tammany Hall at No. %
Centrcst and there each receives instructions con-
eernng the part that he is to play IN getting what
orators proudly proclaim certain per0
occasions Is Tue most glorious right that man can
possess which makes him an uncrovncd ang the equal
Of any crowned despot Of efee Europe" The political
organization gives the applicant ticket which relieves
him from the necessity of paying the court fees only SO
cents which the organization pays With his witness
the way to the courthouse is shown They take their
place in line. When their turn obging clerk
shows them where each must insert his name on the
papers that have to be signed. Guided by accommo
dating policeman they go before Judge OF the Court OF
Common Pleas of the Superior Court. Within an
hour If the mill is working well, the Italian has sworu
soemnly" of to support the Constitution OK
the United States. and to absolutely and entirely
nounce and allure all allegiance and fidelity TO every
foreign prince potentate, state sovereignty what
and particularly TO the Emperor OF Italy,, OF whom
he before subject" It's all Greek to the italian,
but he to 1t all the same and drops out OF the
hopper ullfedged citizen Of the United states. armed.
too with what OF vast eruditon and insight declare
ia he m tpffc An
ton.
MORE TRAGEDY THAN COMEDY IN THs PLAY.
Funny Certainly it is screamingly funny any,
thing in any comedy being presented on the stage
Of any Metropolitan theatre. But multiply the ItaiIar
by thousand ten thousand, fifty thOusand-who
knows how many-all armed with the ballot and tho
farce is possess the elements OF dire tragedy
Meanwhile there is be thankful that the
country possesses strong digestive organs and
assimila:e all OF unwhosome material and evolve
fairly good health from it.
The naturalization mill in the Court House all the
year round, but ordinarily it smoothly slowly and
azly and for the goldettered signs that proclaim
its existence there Is noise of machinery. signs Of
activity TO proclaim It's presence But for about week
preceding the last registration day the mill does rnsh
ing business, and 1t testifes its presence afie-
fashion that everybody take cognzance Of snch
the state Of affairs for several days previous 10 last
Friday. A motley tbrong gathered about the
where busy clerks made ont the papers and above tho
chambers where the Judges OF the Superior Court and Of
the Court of Common Pleas heard evidence from the
applicants presided the solemn swearing and
granted the orders that invested the applicants with all
the privileges of citizenship. As spectacle IL isa
interesting that OF Congress OF all Nations So
for the types not selected but truly representa-
tive II presented a rich field for the student Of eth.
nooey or physognomy. There were the sw4rthy,
ylittcringeyei, backhaired sons of Italy, the fair.
skinned faxenhaired, slow moving but sure Germans;
he po iish keen timOrOIs Looking tia
esut OF centuries beneath the iron heel the children Of
air France. quick witted and animated; Russians
entook ing men, given to obeying without question
% whom the doctrine of human equality is yet
Known gospel Some there who's quick restlesa
yes beneath lowering brows show the working OF in
lcrted discomfort with things they Among such
Anarchist and Nihist doctrines bear speedy fruit
There are old men. hopeless looking. ignorant bowed
Own beneath the weight OF years OF struggle agaInso
poverty lands where the conditions admitted OF moth
ng better than exstence; young men, buoyant
With hope. who have been lucky enough to get hero
efore oppression could crush the manhood out OF them
nidde-aged men with the OF irredeemablo
agrancy upon them lligcnt looking men, for whom
he holds great possibilities ow-browed, square
,wed ignorant and than ignorant, vicious, OF
HON the country that sends them is well rid who may
clip TO build jsls but likely 10 ill them.
Happily not by any were all OF them men who
lgLt not make desirable citizens One would say OF
os of them that they worth taking trial 40
asst.
PLENTY OF WORTHLESS MATERIAL.
But II equally certain that there many Of them
ho do know the difference between the Constitution
nd the Dccalogue, who for two years preceding their
pplcatOn had no more bona tde " intention OF boo
,ming citizens of the United States than they had OF
angling themselves; who never concerned themselves
Jout it until political aroused patriotic
,sires within them for the rights and privileges OF
tlzenship by seductive intimations that it would
pay"
Tough citizens" says the good-natured officer VINO
arshas them in line, with a scowl OF contempt. -"
ioud say that of them would make tough citizens,
ther" and then he gives vent 10 the feelings that he
,nnot verbally express III prolonged low whistle
As for anything like examination no an appli.
ns unie rsandng Of the principles OF the Constitute
on of the United states, there There
for it. The Judges III nearly every instance asked
lly few questions OF the applicant for citizenship,
OF his witness, confined Rlain TO the points
ntalned in the papers signed, which would be satisfied